The Return of the King (1980)

Two Hobbits struggle to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom while their friends desperately fight evil Lord Sauron's forces in a final battle.

Directors:

Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writers:

J.R.R. Tolkien (novels), Romeo Muller (adapted for the screen)

Stars:

Orson Bean, John Huston, Theodore Bikel

Cast

Cast overview:
Orson Bean	...	Frodo Baggins / Bilbo Baggins (voice)
Theodore Bikel	...	Aragorn (voice)
William Conrad	...	Lord Denethor (voice)
John Huston	...	Gandalf (voice)
Roddy McDowall	...	Samwise Gamgee (voice)
Brother Theodore	...	Gollum / Smeagol (voice) (as Theodore)
Paul Frees	...	Orc / Goblin / Uruk-Hai / Captain Shagrat / Lieutenant Snaga / Orc Sergeant / Lord Elrond (voice)
Don Messick	...	King Theoden / Easterling / The Mouth of Sauron (voice)
John Stephenson	...	Gondorian Guard / Dwimmerlaik - The Witch-King of Angmar (voice)
Casey Kasem	...	Meriadoc 'Merry' Brandybuck (voice)
Sonny Melendrez	...	Peregrin 'Pippin' Took (voice)
Nellie Bellflower	...	Eowyn / Dernhelm (voice)
Glenn Yarbrough	...	The Minstrel (voice)

Storyline

This film adapts the final book of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy where the Hobbits, Frodo and Samwise, struggle through the barren land of Mordor to destroy the Ruling Ring in Mount Doom. At the same time, Gandalf and the others wage a desperate battle against the forces of Sauron at Minas Tirith, but Sauron seems to have the upper hand while the source of his power, the Ring, slowly threatens to corrupt its bearers.

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Plot Keywords:

hobbit | gloating | singer offscreen | friends who live together | tolkien | 

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Taglines:

A Story of Hobbits.

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le retour du roi

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Topcraft, Rankin/Bass Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Huston directed Theodore Bikel in The African Queen (1951), which also featured Katharine Hepburn. Hepburn was played in Aviator (2004) by Cate Blanchett, who also appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

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Goofs

Many names of locations and characters are mispronounced: Gorgoroth as Gorogoroth, Minas Tirith as Mine-as Tirith (instead of Me-nas), Cirith Ungol as Sirith Ungol (insteaf of Kirith), Smaug as Smog (instead of Sma-ug), Sauron as Soron (instead of Sow-ron), Lebennin as LebEnnin (instead of LEbennin).

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Quotes

Frodo Baggins: Oh Sam, what have I said, what have I done?

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Connections

Version of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

User Reviews

Not meant to be consumed by the general public, but a delicacy nonetheless

In the wake of Peter Jackson's incredibly successful Tolkien series, this movie tends to get a lot of flak. Yet in some regards, I actually prefer this version, and I'll explain why:

The difference of opinion is basically generational and dependent on what the viewer is looking for. If you are hooked on stunning visuals and "epic" proportions in every estimable regard, there is no denying that Peter Jackson's films are better.

While this film deviates from the plot in several instances--no doubt a consequence of condensing so much material into an hour-and-a-half--it does maintain some of the better quotes from the books; keep in mind that these lines are delivered in the style in which they were written, not watered down the way some of the most powerful quotes are in more modern versions.

Combine this with a cast of amazing voice actors (Brother Theodore is the best, creepiest Gollum, hands down; Paul Frees orc voices are chilling; Roddy McDowall and Orson Bean do incredible things; and, of course, John Huston; I am not familiar with the actor that plays Denethor, but I love that performance as well) and you've got what is basically an Elizabethan drama with watercolor backgrounds and animation.

The other major reason why people dislike this film, and again it was a creative choice, is the inclusion of songs. Peter Jackson made films for adults; these animated films are intended for children. I admit that the ratio of song to plot can get tedious in this film, but the reasoning is noble. If you've ever read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, you know it is absolutely packed with poetry. I am sure it was this film's intent to preserve this feeling while at the same time emulating the musical style which has been popular with children's programming for years.

In conclusion, people often criticize this film on matters of taste rather than actual merit. If you enjoy animation and well-written dialogue, this is definitely worth a look.